Dual PRI cards and dummy T1

[Tomiga1]

Our Option 81c has dual PRI cards (NT5D12AH) yet we still have dummy T1 circuits (no d-channel).
So here is the dummy question......is it just a simple matter of requesting PRI circuits from LEC?
What can I expect as far as downtime or support from our vendor; is there programming on my end that needs to be accomplished?

Thanks for the input!

 

[trvlr1]

There are many ways you can add to what you have. The first question is: Do you need the additional circuits? If the answer is yes, then you need to figure out what you need to have added. If the answer is no, do not go to the expense of adding them, just because you have the hardware, that is an expensive folly!
You need to look at what you have, do you have separate local and LD circuits, or do you combine local and LD down your circuits? If you combine, you may want to talk to your carrier of choice to figure out what the costs might be to add stand alone LD circuits. When you do this, depending on your current contract, you need to figure out if these costs will create an overall savings, LD is often considerably cheaper if you put it out a dedicated circuit, and will also free up space on the current local circuits, so you don't have to add anything there. Bottom line, talk to your carrier and have them show you what potential savings there may or may not be for this option.
The next thing is, do you currently have PRI circuits in place of the type (local or LD) that you want to install additional circuits for? They can use the D channel information that is already being passed to and from the carrier. If so, talk to the carrier about adding T-1 circuits that will work in conjunction with these existing PRI circuits, and save you money overall. This may not always be the best way to go, so a lot of descisions need to be made. (different carriers have different names for this option)
As for programming, there will be quite a bit to do, so if you do not feel totally comfortable with this, talk to a reputable vendor, who can not only do the work, but walk you through all the steps and options you have. Talk is cheap (and usually free) and can end up with savings in your pocket if done right.

 

[KCFLHRC]

Your NT5D12 cards sill support PRI. You have to also have either onboard MSDL Daughterboards or an MSDL card with associated cables to connect from the MSDL card to the T-1 card. These MSDL cards support the D-channel. All programming will have to be outed and rebuilt. Down time typically depends on the LEC, they may bring in new circuits or they may reprogram what you have. Reprogramming the PBX, maybe 15 to 20 minutes.